Musk targets Ambani as Starlink awaits approval to operate in India

Elon Musk directed fresh criticism at Mukesh Ambani on October 9 over Starlink’s delayed commercial launch in India, while the government maintained that satellite operators must complete regulatory and security checks.

In a post on X, the SpaceX chief executive sarcastically addressed the Reliance Industries chairman as “Prime Minister Ambani” and asked him to allow Starlink to compete. Musk argued that satellite internet could improve educational opportunities and help small businesses in communities without reliable connectivity.

The remarks followed his earlier allegation that unnamed business interests were obstructing Starlink’s entry. Musk’s accusation against Ambani is an allegation, rather than an established finding of interference in the approval process.

India’s Ministry of Communications had rejected claims of discriminatory treatment on October 8. It said all three licensed satellite operators were undergoing security assessments and were broadly at the same regulatory stage. Completion of those checks would allow a provider to seek spectrum assignment.

At India Mobile Congress 2026 in New Delhi, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said India would not permit a monopoly and identified the licensed providers as Reliance Jio Satcom, Bharti Airtel-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Starlink. The government was also finalising spectrum pricing. A telecommunications licence therefore did not by itself authorise a commercial launch.